Date: 2017-05-14

There was rousing and overwhelming welcome for the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Saturday.

Osinbajo and other dignitaries had stormed the 2nd ECWA Church at the Amilegbe area of Ilorin for the funeral service of Dr. Barnabas Oloruntoba, the father in-law of the President, African Development who is a former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Osinbajo's visit surprised many Ilorin residents as there was no prior public knowledge of his coming.

The Acting President was already seated at the church auditorium before many residents got wind of his arrival and quickly abandoned their pre-occupations to queue up on the major roads leading to the Ilorin International Airport. Hundreds of people were seen at the Muritala Mohammed Road, Maraba Junction and Amilegbe road waiting for Osinbajo while the church service lasted.

In his remarks at the funeral service, the Acting President reminded leaders that quality service must be rendered to the people and God.

He said there was no way anybody could claim to be serving God without serving humanity.

He extolled the virtues of the late Oloruntoba, and said that the deceased while alive, lived a life worthy of emulation.

He said, "I am very excited to be here. I am more excited because we are here to celebrate a great Nigerian, and not only a great Nigerian, but a child of God.

"He served the country well and rose to the highest position of his career and was honoured by the nation as among the 100 most significant people in our centenary celebration. He is also an Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He served his family very well.

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said the virtues and legacies of the deceased would remain indelible, adding that he lived a fulfilled life.

The President of Benin Republic, Mr. Patrice Talon, was represented at the funeral service by his Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni.

Dignitaries at the occasion included, a former Military Administrator of Osun and Bauchi states, Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (Retd); Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Segun Awolowo, and Mrs. Titi Atiku, the wife of a former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku among others.